Grosey's Messages

Fickle Followers  Luke 9:44-62

The Majesty of Jesus Outshines Pride, Prejudice, Possessions,

Luke 9: An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he

said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and

whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you

all—he is the greatest."

"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to

stop him, because he is not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not

against you is for you." As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus

resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went

into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome

him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this,

they asked, "Lord do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy them?" [even

as Elijah did] But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and [said, "You do not know what kind

of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save

them."] they went to another village.

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you

go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man

has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied,

"Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their

own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will

follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied,

"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Last Sunday we saw that the Glimpse of the Glory of God in Jesus on the Mount of transfiguration solved all the problems that come in life. Is there Power in Jesus to save the demon possessed?

A glimpse here tells us yes!

The Majesty of the Lord Jesus shines through all the matters of life

It also reveals the fickleness of people's hearts. One minute they are for Him, and another their soul wanders so far away from Christ.  But the true measure of it all is the Lord Jesus.

Jesus is standing in Pilate's hall—Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all:
Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call?  What will you do with Jesus

What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you cannot be;
                Some day your heart will be asking,    "What will He do with me?"

Jesus is standing on trial still,You can be false to Him if you will,
You can be faithful through good or ill:  What will you do with Jesus

Will you evade Him as Pilate tried? Or will you choose Him, whate'er betide?
Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:  What will you do with Jesus?

"Jesus, I give Thee my heart today! Jesus, I'll follow Thee all the way,
Gladly obeying Thee!" will you say:   "This will I do with Jesus!

Our Savior never refused anybody who came to Him. His own words were, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." That is a true description of his dealing with men at all times. If they do but come sincerely and truly, he always welcomes them.

But something is lacking in these three would be followers.

There seems no real sense of the repentance.

There seems no real sense of understanding the work of the Saviour.

There seems no real sense of them appreciating the majesty of Christ.

Here is a warning to the pretentious.  Here is a warning to the self-deceived who, through ignorance, professed what was not really true.

They seem to jump into their religion as men do into their morning bath, and then jump out again just as quickly, converted by the dozen, and unconverted one by one till the dozen has melted away.

We should always be anxious to receive all who profess to come to Christ. At the same time, we must exercise judgment. No one is converted simply because he says that he is.

Lets look at these three men that the Lord dealt with one on one.

1. The Volunteer.

The first man, and he was a scribe, too, said, "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." What that might mean, what that might involve, he did not ask, and therefore did not know. He was sincere as far as he knew; but then he did not know much. Had he known more, he would have said less. Like our Lord, we meet with many persons who are great at resolving. They are willing to make that declaration as publicly as you like; and stand up, or fall down, be baptised or do anything else to declare that they have resolved.

But some people are very great at resolving rather than repenting and believing. These people show, generally, very great confidence in themselves. This man said, "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." There is no prayer, "Lord, help me to follow You," "Please hold me up, only then shall I be safe," "Lord please don't leave me, for I shall wander from you," but it is just this, "I have made up my mind to this, and I am a strong-minded person, and able to carry out what I determine. Lord, I will follow you anywhere." That is our duty; but that duty we shall never attain apart from God's help. "He that trusteth in his own heart is"-what? A convert? No, "a fool", and "a fool" is another name for a sinner.

This first man is very big; he talks big talk, he talks up a big game, and he feels that he can do what he says, and in the simplicity of his ignorant heart, he says, "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest."

His problem was pride. Much like the disciples. He may have thought that Jesus Christ had come to set up an earthly kingdom, and that, by following him, he would get a good seat in that new kingdom? Perhaps he heard Christ's apostles arguing about who should be the greatest, one sitting on his right hand and the other on his left.

The Pure Glorious Majesty of Jesus' person should take all pride from us.

There was the Glimpse of His Glory on the Mount of transfiguration. That Glimpse of Glory knocked much of the pride out of Peter.

Notice how the Lord Jesus undeceived this man: "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head."

He told that scribe that, if he became his follower he would have what the Lord had. For the disciple is not above his Lord, nor the servant above his Master. What will you have to share if you follow Christ? You will have to follow a friendless Man without a home, and often with no one to understand him. If you take him to be your Leader, you will have to travel over a rough road.  If he followed Christ, not only would he gain no wealth by it, but he would get very little kindness as the result of it, for our Saviour had no home of his own.  "You will be treated like that; you will lose many of your friends; those who are of your own household will become your enemies; those who now admire you will then abhor you; and those who now call you a fine fellow, and are pleased to entertain you, will then shut the door in your face. That is what you have to expect."

Become truly and really a follower of Christ. The Lord Jesus took this would be disciple into Basic Basic Training. A friend of mine was a Presbyterian Army Chaplain at Basic Training at Kappooka near Wagga.  The aim of the three months basic Training is to find out what sort of person the person is who comes to the Army. It breaks a person down and then rebuilds him he says. Many decide after the three months that they don't want to do this anymore. Anyone can quit after three months. The Lord confronted this would be disciple and took him through Basic Training. This is what being a disciple of Jesus looks like. And the guy bailed. He quit!

2. There is the Conscript.

THERE ARE SOME WOULD-BE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST WHO DO NOT PUT CHRIST FIRST.

The second case mentioned in this chapter is different from the first: "And He said to another, Follow me." This man was not a volunteer. The first man was, and he broke down in Basic Training.

This man heard the Lord's call: "Follow me!" Every true volunteer into the army of Christ is press ganged. The English and other navies would send a band of thugs ( a gang) to conscript men into the navy. They would press gang men, put them in chains, men that they saw in the streets and make them sailors. Under compulsion. It was stronger than conscription. That is how my ancestors came to Australia. 

The grace of God press gangs each true Christian into discipleship. But every one who is impressed into the army of Christ is also a volunteer, for he is made willing in the day of God's power; so that, in the kingdom of Christ, the pressed man and the volunteer are the same.

This man had a distinct command from the Lord: "Follow me." That is a very solemn thing, to have a command from the Lord coming to the heart, and then to repel it. Be very cautious when you hear the Word of God preached, or when you read it. If, at any time, it comes to you with unusual power, if it lays an iron hand upon your shoulder, if you feel it difficult to get away from it, do not try to get away from it; for, if you do, you will add very greatly to your guilt. When Jesus himself seems to say to you, "Follow me," do not harden your heart to Him.

But this man gave a very natural excuse: "He said, Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."

"First, I must bury my father" refers to the duty of a firstborn son to stay close to his home until his father died. Now, we can be certain this man's father had not just died in the past few hours. Jewish burial customs dictated a corpse be buried within 24 hours of death, because they didn't embalm like the Egyptians had done for years. So, if the man's father recently died, he wouldn't have been out in the setting where Jesus was calling for disciples; he would have been following the carefully prescribed burial customs. No, this man's father was still alive. He was telling Jesus one day he would follow Jesus. That day would be sometime in the future after his father died, then he would follow Jesus.  "Allow me first"-indicated where his heart was. He was willing to be a Christian; that is to say, a Christian and something else; but the something else must be written in large capitals, and then, at the bottom, in very small type, and a Christian.''

Do you not know a great many people of that sort? Businessman and Christian, but the Christian is secondary. They are like the man whose child was asked, "Is your father a Christian?" and who replied, "He is a Christian, I think; but he has not worked much at it lately." You are no Christian unless you put Christ first. If you have understood His Majesty and had a Glimpse of His glory you cannot allow Him second place to anything.

Don't you think the Lord knew this fellows home situation? Surely if He knew it then He understood when the guys would need to bury his dad.  It appears this fellow may have been more concerned for the family inheritance. The Saviour who knew everything saw that there was no force in his argument; for He said, "There are other people to bury your father; but I have called upon you now to come and follow me. Nobody else can do that for you; but the burial of your father can be done by others whom I have never called, and who know nothing about the divine life. Let the dead bury their dead."

The Lord Jesus won't come into your heart to sit in the worst chair in the house. He will not come into your soul to be put in the closet. He is majestic in glory. He must have the best room, and the best seat in the room; he must be first, and not even father and mother may come before the Lord Jesus Christ.

If Christ isn't first with you, Christ is nothing to you. You can't play with Him; you must surrender your whole life to him, and make Him the first and last of your life's ambition, if you have Him at all.

 "Follow me," said Christ, "I must be first; and as for these other things, there are other people who can properly attend to them. It is more in their line. The dead know where the graves are; the dead know all about funerals. Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead."

This man's first concern was his pride of place in the family pecking order. Burying his father was code for take the place as the dutiful son who inherits the lot. The Majesty of Jesus trumps any pride of place anyone offers you. It is more important to be in His service than to be promoted into any other place. I have met pastors who wanted to be politicians. Why? Preaching the gospel is much more important work. They feel they can "change society." Why? The only way to change society is to change peope one person at a time under the power of the gospel.

I know a pastor offered a job in a TAFE at triple his current pay. Why did he turn it down? He said "There is nothing more important than gospel work. The wages might not be great but the retirement benefits are out of this world!"

We have very questionable discipleship towards Christ, where somebody or something is put before Christ!

Jerome (347 -420 AD) was a scholar. He studied under Apollinarius of Laodicea (who was later condemned as a heretic for teaching Christ had only human flesh, not a human mind or will). But his Greek studies were interrupted by a dream—one of the most famous in church history—during Lent 375: dragged before a tribunal of God, he was found guilty of preferring classic pagan literature to Christian: "Ciceronianus es, non Christianus," (You are a follower of Cicero, not of Christ) said his judge.

He writes in a letter to a young lady Eustochium "Meantime preparations for my funeral went on; my body grew gradually colder, and the warmth of life lingered only in my throbbing breast. Suddenly I was caught up in the spirit and dragged before the judgment seat of the Judge; and here the light was so bright, and those who stood around were so radiant, that I cast myself upon the ground and did not dare to look up. Asked who and what I was I replied: I am a Christian. But He who presided said: You lie. You are a follower of Cicero and not of Christ. For 'where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.' Matthew 6:21 Instantly I became dumb, and amid the strokes of the lash — for He had ordered me to be scourged — I was tortured more severely still by the fire of conscience, considering with myself that verse, In the grave who shall give you thanks? Yet for all that I began to cry and to bewail myself, saying: Have mercy upon me, O Lord: have mercy upon me. Amid the sound of the scourges this cry still made itself heard. At last the bystanders, falling down before the knees of Him who presided, prayed that He would have pity on my youth, and that He would give me space to repent of my error. He might still, they urged, inflict torture on me, should I ever again read the works of the Gentiles. Under the stress of that awful moment I should have been ready to make even still larger promises than these. Accordingly I made oath and called upon His name, saying: Lord, if ever again I possess worldly books, or if ever again I read such, I have denied You." Letter 22  to To Eustochium

Shaken, Jerome vowed never to read or own pagan literature again.

A wealthy student of Jerome's founded a monastery in Bethlehem for him to administer (it also included three cloisters for women and a hostel for pilgrims). Here he finished his greatest contribution (begun in 382 at Damasus's instruction): translating the Bible into everyday Latin (later to be called the Vulgate, meaning "common"). Though there were Latin versions available, they varied widely in accuracy. At first Jerome worked from the Greek Old Testament, the Septuagint. But then he established a precedent for later translators: the Old Testament would have to be translated from the original Hebrew. In his quest for accuracy, he consulted Jewish rabbis and others.

One of the biggest differences he saw between the Septuagint and the original Hebrew was that the Jews did not include the books now known as the Apocrypha in their canon of Holy Scripture. Though he still felt obligated to include them, Jerome made it clear that he thought them to be church books, not fully inspired canonical books. (Reformation leaders would later remove them entirely from their Bibles.)

After 23 years, Jerome completed his translation, which Christians used for more than 1,000 years, and in 1546 the Council of Trent declared it the only authentic Latin text of the Scriptures. Sadly, the text of the Vulgate that circulated throughout the Middle Ages was a corrupt form of Jerome's work, encumbered by copyists' errors. (In the late sixteenth century, corrected editions were published.)

Jerome's work became so widely revered that until the Reformation, translators worked from the Vulgate; not for a thousand years did scholars again translate directly from the Greek New Testament. And ironically, Jerome's Bible added impetus to the use of Latin as the Western church's language, resulting centuries later in a liturgy and Bible lay people could not understand—precisely the opposite of Jerome's original intention.

For Jerome, however, his scholarship gave him an appreciation of the Word of God he carried for the rest of his life: "Make knowledge of the Scripture your love … Live with them, meditate on them, make them the sole object of your knowledge and inquiries."

Is there someething in your life that has a higher place in it than love to Christ. Judge you speech, your talk: is Christ first there? Do you have a deeper emotion in your heart caused by politics, or Christ? How are you about prayer and prayer meeting? Is it your joy? Or are you dull about that?  You are no Christian if you are not altogether a Christian. If every part of you is not consecrated to Christ, I fear that no part of you is consecrated to Him.

3. There Was The Indecisive Follower.

He is a somewhat willing volunteer.. but somewhat unwilling too.

THERE ARE SOME WOULD-BE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST WHO LOVE POSSESSSIONS MORE THAN CHRIST 

And another also said, Lord, I will follow You." He is another volunteer; "but let me first." Something must be done first by him, too. There would have been no hurt in what he said if he had not put in that word "first." "Let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house." Well, now, the objection to this was that he did not intend to come straight out from the world.

He did not mean to come out there and then for Christ; but he must go home, and bid them farewell first.

That's dangerous. Probably when he went home they would get crying over him, so that it would take a month to say farewell, and thenhe would have to say farewell again, and perhaps keep on saying it all the rest of his life.

No man leaves sin little by little. Have done with it! Cut the connection altogether by God's grace!

Some have been almost persuaded; but they have gone to their old friends just to give them the last farewell, the last handshake, and we have not seen anything more of them.

It is a dangerous trying to part with the world by degrees; gently, courteously, little by little. You will never do it. No man becomes a follower of Christ that way.

It showed his indecision. He would follow Christ, but-well, that home of his, all those dear faces at home. First, he asks to go and see them; first, as if they would not be there another week, or another month, he must go there first. So we find plenty of people who are thus undecided; they would like to go to heaven by that broad road along which the multitude of men are going down to hell. "Yes, write my name in the church-book; but I shall keep it on the books of the club where I go and do a little bit of gambling; at any rate, just for a time. I will be a Christian one of these days; but just now I have something else I have got to do!  I promised, and I must keep my promise."

It is like Elijah who spoke to the people of Israel at Mt Carmel. How long will you go limping between two opinions. If Baal is God serve him, but if God is God serve Him!

You might be like a swinging door.. Is it opened or closed?

Take the big decisive step.

This man's request showed a want of appreciation of Christ. If Jesus said to any one of us who are in our right minds, "Follow me" should we not think this the highest honour, our greatest delight, to be his followers?

We must have a little more sin, and a little more of the pleasures of this world and its possessions, it shows that we are not really brought to the Lord!

Look at what the Lord Jesus said:  "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

I had a friend whose dad owned a large property at Nyngan. 20,000 acres. He said when they ploughed that 20,000 acres if he looked back over his shoulder they didn't get the furrows straight in those 1000 acre paddocks. And if they didn't get it straight once they got it crooked all the rest.

The ploughman who is always looking here and there and everywhere, instead of looking straight ahead, is a lousey ploughman.

We want men and women who will say, "I am for Christ, for him to live, for him to labor, for him to suffer, for him, if need be, to die. Straight ahead, turning neither to the right hand for this that I may gain, nor to the left hand for fear of what I may lose, but straight ahead, by that divine grace which has come into my soul, and made me feel that Christ is all my salvation, and all my desire, straight ahead I plough towards the end of the field."

Luke 9  THE GLIMPSE OF HIS GLORY

27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God."

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.

30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,

31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" --- not knowing what he said.

34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.

35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"

36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

A Boy Is Healed

37 Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him.

38 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, "Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child.

39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.

40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not."

41 Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here."

42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples,

44 "Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men."

45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him,

48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great."

49 Now John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us."

50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."

51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,

52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him.

53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.

54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?"

55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.

56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village.

57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go."

58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

59 Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."

61 And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."

62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

THE GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY OF JESUS

Mount Tabor or Mount Hermon?  Jesus and His three closest friends walked to the top and He began to pray. The most significant experiences of His earthly life occurred when He was praying; that ought to teach us something. As He was praying, He was transfigured. The Greek word is the verb metamorphoo. We get our word metamorphosis from it. It means "a change on the outside which comes from within."  Jesus was changed from an ordinary looking man into a figure of light with brilliant beams radiating from his body. The reason His clothes became white was from the light emanating from His body. I can just imagine Simon Peter rubbing his eyes, wondering if he was really seeing what he thought he was seeing. This is a very important event in Jesus' life, because it confirms He was not merely a man. He was God in the flesh. For most of His 33 years of human existence, His human flesh obscured and veiled His Deity. But at this time, His true divine nature was revealed.

This is how Peter describes it 2Peter 1: 16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

1. IT IS THE GLIMPSE OF HIS ETERNAL GLORY

The writer of Hebrews pulls back the veil and lets us know who Jesus really is. "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3) A respected theologian, Dr. Kent Hughes writes in his commentary:

"For a brief moment the veil of Jesus' humanity was lifted and His true essence was allowed to shine through. The glory which was always in the depths of His being rose to the surface for that one time in His earthly life. Or, put another way, He slipped back into eternity to His pre-human glory. It was a glance back and a look forward into His future glory!"

The word "glory" carries with it the idea of glowing brilliance. When the angels visited the shepherds outside Bethlehem, the "glory of the Lord shone all around them." There is a brilliant light associated with the character and nature of God. There are three Biblical statements summarizing the nature of God. We are told (1) God is holy; (2) God is love; and (3) God is light. Peter, James and John saw this  glory in Jesus. Have you glimpsed that glory? John saw Him and he wrote "His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow and his eyes were like blazing fire. ... His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." (Revelation 1:14, 16) Sound familiar? That's how Jesus appeared on the mountain. In Exodus 33, Moses asked God directly to let him see His glory. God told Moses if he looked at His face, he would die instantly. So, the Lord placed Moses in a cleft in the rock and His glory "passed by." Moses was allowed to glimpse the "afterglow" of God's glory but that was enough. Moses came down the mountain with his face shining and glowing as if he had gotten the sunburn to end all sunburns. My friend, you don't have to see the glory of God with your eyes—in fact, it would blind you.

2. IT IS THE GLIMPSE OF HIS SAVING GLORY

Two visitors appear on the mountain and they are talking with Jesus. One is identified as Moses

and the other as Elijah. By the way, that confirms we will keep our personal identity in heaven.

Why Moses and Elijah? Why not Noah and Jonah, or Abraham and David? Once you understand the significance of Moses and Elijah, you'll begin to see why Jesus allowed the disciples to witness His transfiguration. Moses represents the law and Elijah represents the prophets, but it goes much deeper than that. Verse 31 tells us "they were talking about his departure (exodus) which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem." They were talking about Jesus' upcoming death. The New Testament uses the word "departure" interchangeably with "death." Just before he died, Paul wrote, "The time of my departure is at hand." I like that. "Departure" means you are headed somewhere. Moses and Elijah are unique because they both had unusual deaths. They weren't actually deaths at all; they were more like "departures."

This passage shows us that the Old Testament saints in glory take a deep interest in Christ's atoning death. We are told that when Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with our Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration, they "talked with Him." And what was the subject of their conversation? We are not obliged to make conjectures and guesses about this. Luke tells us, "they spoke of His decease, which He should accomplish at Jerusalem." They knew the meaning of that death. They knew how much depended on it. Therefore they "talked" about it. It is a grave mistake to suppose that holy men and women under the Old Testament knew nothing about the sacrifice which Christ was to offer up for the sin of the word. Their light, no doubt, was far less clear than ours. They saw things afar off and indistinctly, which we see, as it were, close at hand. But there is not the slightest proof that any Old Testament saint ever looked to any other satisfaction for sin, but that which God promised to make by sending Messiah. From Abel downwards the whole company of old believers appear to have been ever resting on a promised sacrifice, and a blood of almighty efficacy yet to be revealed. From the beginning of the world there has never been but one foundation of hope and peace for sinners--the death of an Almighty Mediator between God and man. It was the subject of which Moses and Elijah were seen speaking when they appeared in glory. They spoke of the atoning death of Christ.

Let us take heed that this death of Christ is the ground of all our confidence. Nothing else will give us comfort in the hour of death and the day of judgment. Our own works are all defective and imperfect. Our sins are more in number than the hairs of our heads. (Psalm 40:12.) Christ dying for our sins, and rising again for our justification, must be our only plea, if we wish to be saved. Happy is that man who has learned to cease from his own works, and to glory in nothing but the cross of Christ! If saints in glory see in Christ's death so much beauty, that they must needs talk of it, how much more ought sinners on earth.

3. IT WAS A GLIMPSE OF HIS RESURRECTION GLORY

We are told that when our Lord appeared in glory, Moses and Elijah were seen with Him, standing and speaking with Him. Moses had been dead nearly fifteen hundred years. Elijah had been taken up by a whirlwind from the earth more than nine hundred years before this time. Yet here these holy men were seen once more alive, and not only alive, but in glory!

The last chapter of Deuteronomy tells us on the day Moses died God took him to a tall mountain and showed him the Promised Land. Basically God said, "This is the land I promised to Abraham. I'm letting you see it, but you will not cross over into it." (Deuteronomy 34:4) Moses died there and it says "God buried him, and to this day, no one knows where his grave is." There is a pseudoepigraphical Jewish writing called The Assumption of Moses claims Moses' body was assumed into heaven. We don't know for sure, but when you jump over to the little book of Jude, we find the archangel Michael disputed with the devil about the body of Moses. (Jude 9) So, it's entirely possible Moses was raised, because there he was, 1,600 years later standing before Jesus. "Let us take comfort in the blessed thought that there is a resurrection and a life to come. All is not over, when the last breath is drawn. There is another world beyond the grave. But, above all, let us take comfort in the thought, that until the day dawns, and the resurrection begins, the people of God are safe with Christ." Ryle.

MOSES–The forerunner of those who will be raised up (dead and buried)

The Bible says when Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise first (they have six feet further to go). Moses is a representative of all of the precious saints who have died. The moment a Christian dies, their soul and spirit goes to be with Jesus. Paul wrote, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8) But the bodies of believers have been buried, or burned or lost at sea. When Jesus returns, these bodies will be resurrected and these folks will live with the Lord forever. Have you had a loved one who has already died? Perhaps your grandparents or parents or spouse or children have already died. When Jesus returns, they will be resurrected, like Moses. And you will recognize them just as Jesus recognized Moses.

4. IT WAS A GLIMPSE OF HIS RETURNING GLORY

J.C. Ryle says "this passage shows us something of the glory which Christ will have at His second coming. We read that "the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His clothing was white and glistering," and that the disciples who were with Him "saw His glory."

We need not doubt that this marvelous vision was meant to encourage and strengthen our Lord's disciples. They had just been hearing of the cross and passion, and the self-denial and sufferings to which they must submit themselves, if they would be saved. They were now cheered by a glimpse of the "glory that should follow," and the reward which all faithful servants of their Master would one day receive. They had seen their Master's day of weakness. They now saw, for a few minutes, a pattern and specimen of His future power. We know exactly what happened to Elijah. We are told in 2 Kings 2 Elijah didn't die. Instead, he was "caught up" by a chariot of fire and was taken to heaven in a whirlwind. Now, think about those two deaths. Moses died and was raised. Elijah didn't die, but was caught up to heaven. Is that ringing any bells for you yet? The Transfiguration is a preview of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which will launch the Kingdom of God. 1 Thessalonians 4:16- 17: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will RISE first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be CAUGHT UP [Latin raptio] with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Moses and Elijah represent the two categories of people who will be claimed by Jesus when He returns.

Those of us who are alive when Jesus returns won't die—we will be raptured. The English word "rapture" doesn't appear in the Bible. We get it from the Latin word raptio, which is the translation of the word harpadzo, which means "caught up." Just as Elijah didn't die but was "caught up" to heaven in a chariot of fire, that's what will happen to us when Jesus returns. The Hebrew Old Testament was translated into Greek in 132 BC. Seventy-two translators were used so the Greek translation of the Old Testament is called the "Septuagint" (LXX). Long before Jesus promised His return and Paul wrote about it, the translators of the LXX were translating 2 Kings 2. Can you guess which Greek word they used to describe what happened to Elijah when he was "caught up" in a fiery chariot? They used the word harpadzo—exactly the same word Paul used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. So, Elijah was "raptured" without dying and that's what is going to happen to those of us who know Jesus.

Again, in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, we read what's going to happen: "Listen, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep [die physically], but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." Then Paul goes on to say, "then will be brought to pass the saying, 'death where is your sting? O, grave where is your victory?" As we are being raptured, those of us alive will be singing, "Death where is your sting—you didn't get me!" Those saints who are in the grave will be rising up taunting the grave saying, "Grave, where is your victory? You thought you had me, but I'm set free!"

Are you excited about the Second Coming of Jesus? The first Christians were. Dr. Alexander Maclaren writes: "The Early Church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than about death or heaven. They were not looking for a cleft in the ground called a grave—but for a cleavage in the sky called glory!" The Transfiguration of Jesus is a preview of a coming attraction—the Second Coming of Jesus.

IT WAS A GLIMPSE OF HIS GLORY IN YOUR LIVES

If Jesus is glorious, you should listen to Him! DO YOU LISTEN TO JESUS ALONE?

The three disciples were in such awe at the scene it seemed almost like a dream; they were even sleepy. But verse 32 says they came fully awake and saw Jesus and the two other men. Simon Peter was always good at saying the wrong thing. He was the kind of guy who felt it was his job to fill every moment of silence with some verbal observation. The only time Peter ever opened his mouth was to change feet. He does it again saying, "Lord it is good for us to be here." Peter really had a grasp for the obvious! But like the rest of us, he kept on talking and got deeper in trouble. He said, "Let's build three tabernacles here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He was going to be the chairman of the building committee and they were going to have their very own Discover the Joy but not to build one building but three! These were to be shrines to commemorate this occasion. He made a big mistake when he put Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah. But God is about to correct his misunderstanding.

At that moment a cloud enveloped them.  The glory of God was present. Just as the cloud had led Moses through the wilderness, this cloud settled on top of the mountain. Then the disciples heard the voice of the Father. It was gentle rebuke to Peter because the Father didn't say anything about Moses or Elijah. He said, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen, LISTEN to Him." Then the disciples saw Jesus alone. What a lesson! Peter was so influenced by that mountaintop experience, he wrote about it in one of his letters ten years later: 2 Peter 1:16 - 18: We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses to his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

Did you notice the Father didn't say, "This is my Son, talk to Him?" Sometimes worship is just being still and quiet and listening for that still small voice. Remember when God called little Samuel's name? Samuel said, "Speak Lord for your servant is listening." Most of us rush into the presence of the Lord with a shopping list of needs and say, "Listen, Lord, your servant is speaking." Jesus is speaking—are you really listening?

LISTEN TO JESUS ABOUT THE THINGS HE WANTS YOU TO DO.

We're surrounded by crowds of hurting people who need our help. Oh, the mountaintop is sweet because we commune with Jesus! But when you return to the valley, people have all kinds of needs.

One fellow said to me once "I don't want those kind of people coming to my church." I said as gently as I could, "First of all, it's not your church—and what kind of people are you talking about?" "You know, those 'messed-up' people. We don't want them bringing their problems into this church." I said, "Those are exactly the kind of people that Jesus welcomed and helped—and since this is his church, I'm going to keep on welcoming them, too!"

Powerless disciples have nothing to offer a hurting world.

 I fear that multitudes of hurting people come to the church of the Lord Jesus and are hopeful the disciples of Jesus, the church, can help them and they go away disappointed. How many times has a couple on the verge of divorce come to our church or any church, seeking help? They come and depart disappointed. They could say, "I brought my sick marriage to the church for healing–but they could not." How many times has a broken hearted person struggling with emotional and physical abuse come to our church and said, "I brought my battered heart to church for healing–but they could not." Those words "they could not" keep echoing in my mind. We must realize the one resource we have that secular service organizations do not have is the power of Jesus Christ. That's the key. Jesus said, " ... apart from me, you can do NOTHING." (John 15:5) "But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you." (Acts 1:8) A self-centered, carnal Christian is a liability to the Body of Christ.

Physical suffering can be caused by demonic control but that is not always the case. Many times the New Testament records Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick. This boy's agony was demon-induced. The mean spirit caused him to have violent convulsions, while screaming and foaming at the mouth. Matthew reports the demon made the boy fall into the fire and into the water. Demons are invisible evil spirits who are determined to cause us misery. Our modern world often writes off demon activity as some old magic imagined by pre-scientific people. Dr. John Phillips compares our attitude to that of the residents of London during the Plague of 1665.

Thousands of people were dying mysteriously. Today we know a deadly virus spread by germs invisible to the naked eye caused the Bubonic plague. Dr. Phillips asserts if you could go back 400 years in time and tell the leading English physician invisible germs caused the plague, he would have laughed at you. The doctors would have ignored you and continued their "modern practice" of bleeding victims and burning foul-smelling potions to cure people. Dr. Phillips writes: "Modern man has adopted this kind of attitude about demons. We tell them that the world is in the grip of Satan, that he has countless hosts of invisible demons to aid him in his dark designs against mankind. People look at us with pitying scorn and suggest we peddle our theory to the publishers of science fiction. But, it is true all the same. Our world has been invaded by a virus far more deadly than the bubonic plague, a virus all the more deadly because it is able to think and because it directs its attacks against the soul rather than the body."

Angelic and demonic spirits are invisible to the naked eye but unlike a deadly virus, which can be seen through a microscope, you can't see these spirits with any instrument except the Word of God.

The devil and his demons don't want you to be aware of them. They prefer to remain incognito.  The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis contains fictional letters a head demon, Screwtape, writes to his nephew Wormwood, giving him instructions on how to best torment a his assigned victim. In one letter Screwtape writes, "The fact that demons are predominately comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that, he therefore cannot believe in you." (C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters).

 The devil and his demons try to prevent you from drawing near to Jesus

At the very moment the boy was brought before the Jesus, the demon caused a severe

convulsion. It wasn't just a coincidence. The main purpose of Satan and his fallen angels is to keep you from drawing close to Jesus. Charles Spurgeon writes:

As soon as ever the devil perceived that Christ was near he began to rend and tear his poor victim–like a bad tenant whose lease is out, he hates the Landlord, and so he does all the damage he can, because he is evicted. Often just before men are converted, they are worse than ever; there is an unusual display of their desperate wickedness, for then the devil has great wrath, now that his time is short.

" ... bring him to ME"

Finally, let's focus on Jesus. Can't you just picture Jesus spreading His arms open as He gives the invitation? He says, "Bring him to ME. Come just as you are." Dr. Luke simply says, "Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father." The crowd must have grown quiet because it says in verse 43, "and they were all amazed at the greatness of God."

Spiritual burdens are lifted by Jesus

Did you bring some burdens today? It may be a sick child, a sick marriage, a sick

heart or a sick checkbook. Do you hear Jesus saying, "Bring your problem to me?" He sees your need and He cares. Will you cast all your cares upon Him today? He cares for you.

The Majesty of Jesus Overwhelms Our

PRIDE (v. 46-48)

PREJUDICES (v. 49-50)

PURPOSES (v. 51)

1. Jesus was born to die for us . "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18

2. Your life direction will determine your destination. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

PRIDE (v. 52-55)

1. Some people will reject Jesus (and His followers)

2. We are not to judge and punish those who reject us

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger

does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:19-20

PRIORITIES (v. 56-62)

Following Jesus must have priority over your:

1. Possessions

"Lord I will follow you anywhere!" Remember, Jesus has the ability to see beyond a person's words to examine our hearts. He saw in the heart of this man he really hadn't counted the cost of discipleship. He warned the man even foxes and birds have places to stay, but the Son of Man was what we would call today a homeless person. Here was a man who obviously cherished and treasured his home and his possessions. Jesus told him in order to follow Him he would have to leave his comfort zone. The idea of home is precious to all of us. Most of us agree with the saying, "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." We get attached to the people in our home, and to the "stuff" we have accumulated through the years. Have you ever stopped to consider the earthly poverty of Jesus? He had no possessions. When He died, his only possessions were the clothes on his back. His was so poor He had to get his tax payments out of the mouth of a fish. He was so poor He had to be buried in a borrowed tomb! I love 2 Corinthians 8:9, "You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes, He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich."

2. Plans

He wants to be excused to bury his father. On the surface you may think Jesus' reply is harsh and uncaring. Jesus doesn't accept the excuse. Instead He says, "Let the dead bury the dead—but you go and preach the kingdom of God." Is Jesus implying we should neglect our family in their time of need? Not at all.  Bible scholars agree the phrase "First, I must bury my father" refers to the duty of a firstborn son to stay close to his home until his father died. Now, we can be certain this man's father had not just died in the past few hours. Jewish burial customs dictated a corpse be buried within 24 hours of death, because they didn't embalm like the Egyptians had done for years. So, if the man's father recently died, he wouldn't have been out in the setting where Jesus was calling for disciples; he would have been following the carefully prescribed burial customs. No, this man's father was still alive. He was telling Jesus one day he would follow Jesus. That day would be sometime in the future after his father died, then he would follow Jesus. In other words, this potential disciple already had his prearranged plans in place and he would not deviate from his plans. Jesus was using a play on words when He said, "Let the spiritually dead bury the physically dead." But because there were thousands of people dying spiritually, it was a higher priority to preach the good news of the kingdom to them.

You really intend to follow Jesus, but there are some other things you think you have to do first.

The Triumph of the Transfiguration A Birds Eye View of The Second Advent  by  John G Ridley

Reading Luke 9:27-36  2Peter 1:15-21  Deut 34:1-6   2Kings 2 :9-14  Matthew 16:28  2 Peter 1:16

Introoduction

The Lord Jesus Christ  laid aside His glory when He came to earth for our Redemption, and in the main, His life was one of sacrifice , Service and Suffering Sorrow. He was the object of much criticism and censure -"despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." it was an expression of humiliation that none of us could have endured. His kingly garments had been laid aside and His unfading glory cast off for a time: but once, in the comparative greatness of this earthly night of weeping we see a flash of that morn of song which is after to be His in all its fulness of glory and power.

He told His disciples that  there were some standing with them who would not taste of death until they "saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." mark it my friends, "coming in His kingdom." then couple it with Peter's words "for we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty."

Then Peter defends the doctrine of Christ's coming in power as the basis of his personal witness of it.  Now where did Peter witness such an event? He tells us himself :"on the holy mountain."

So the transfiguration is a bird's eye view of that blessed triumph of Christ called the second advent.

1. The Triumph of the Suffering Saviour.

"The man of sorrows: beset by foes and forces of opposition on every side. 'despised and rejected" climbs up a high mountain with his three special friends and there turns to the solace for all suffererers, - prayer.

"take it to the Lord in prayer." As we so often sing. Yes and "prayer changes things."  Even here it changed gloom to glory and it changed earth to heaven.

"His countenance was changed." Matthew says "it did shine as the sun." Ah, prayer gives the radiant face but deeper still the face we shall see at last will be as the ball in the heavens. In my first battle I was wounded in the neck and  my face was disfigured with blood -staggering back to the Aid Station I asked some comrades the way and will remember the exclamation of distressed disgust "just look at his face!" 

We read in Isaiah's prophecy chapter 52 that our Saviour's face was more marred than any any man's " Disfigured and distorted by Calvary's cruelties. - Yes but when He comes His face will be changed!

The sun that set in blood at Calvary will rise in gold at His Coming. Sometimes we have risen early to see the sunrise and what a sight it is!  So when our Sun of righteousness arises at last I fancy 'the glorious sight will dazzle Each waiting centered eye, for the crowning day is coming bye and bye."

His clothing was changed.

Mark says "His raiment became shining, exceedingly white as snow, so as now laundry on earth can whiten them. Ah friends, the garments once rent and gambled for at Calvary will be replaced by radiant raiment, the clothing of a great King. The shame of His suffering over, he will wear the garments of Glory. They stripped Him at Calvary. God will gird Him with royal robes at the His Coming.

"In garments glorious He will come to open wide the door. And I shall enter my heavenly home, to dwell forevermore."

Ah truly the Coming will reveal Christ's triumph! As Peter the eyewitness puts it: "He received honour and glory from God the Father." Yes

The Cry was heard.  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice "Why hast Thou forsaken me?" But now God cries out. Hear Him> The Sovereign speaks to His Saving Son . "hear Him."  "Hear Him!" Have you heard? Are you willing to hear  One day when he comes you will have to hear! What will He say to you?  Will you hear Congratulations or condemnations?

The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout!"  Psalm 50:1-6,.

There were seven cries from the cross in his suffering. But One shout of triumph

2. The Triumph of the Sleeping Saints.

With the Saviour's triumph there will synchronise the triumph of the sleeping saints. Paul tells us in 1Thessalonians 4 that "the dead on Christ will rise first." Where do we see this view in the transfiguration? In Moses.  Deut 34:1-6. Moses died in an alien land Moab. But from a mountain top Nebo I.e. "A lofty place" from whence he viewed the promised land.  He saw the glories afar, but did not enter in. He died in faith not having received the promise but having seen them afar off and was persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed he was a pilgrim and stranger on earth.  He died in the enemy's country and God buried him in a valley. Mark it. God was his undertaker. -grave digger, and no man knew his grave. Bit the devil knew it, and fought for it, to get the body of the saint . So God faced the devil with Michael the archangel (Jude 9) and Moses was not stolen away, but is raised in glory to talk in company with Elijah to Jesus and share His triumph.  So every saint of God  believer in the Lord Jesus, who looks for Immanuel's land and is a pilgrim and stranger in the world, dying here is buried by God and will rise at the last day. When men fell in action they would stick something in the ground and stand it up as a monument or sign.  Once I had to dig up a body to identify it,  God will  know all in every place. The devil will not capture one,  "the dead in Christ will rise first."  "I shall sleep sound in Jesus filled with His .. rise. To live to adore Him, to see Him with these eyes."

3. The triumph Of The Steadfast Servants.

With the Saviour's triumph there will also synchronise the triumph of the Steadfast servants. "We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall be caught up with them in the cli=ouds to meet the Lord in the air."

"Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh will find watching."

"The dead shall be raised and we shall be changed." Where do we see this triumph in the transfiguration?

In Elijah. The prophet of Israel's apostasy. Who was steadfast and faithful even when he believed that he was the only one left of the faithful. The man who defied the prophets of Ball on Carmel; and who witnessed

To Ahab of his wickedness face to face.

Look at the marks of a devoted Steadfast Servant.

Elijah was devoted to God and would not turn with the tide of his day to idols and Baal worship.

Elijah was daring for Go and faced Ahab and the prophets of Baal and all Israel on Carmel for the honour of the Lord.  He executed judgement.

Elijah was determined for God and would not waver from the truth to please princes or people. "The God of Israel before Whom I stand"

Elijah was discouraged at the sins of his nation and the seeming little response of his appeals and believed himself the only true servant left he prepared to die, but god did not let him die. 

Elijah was delivered in a day when walking with Elisha, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them and Elijah went up in a whirlwind and "was not for God took him." "those who are alive shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air."

Oh my friends its the picture of the rapture of the servants of God, those steadfast servants who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Baal has many representatives today: "modern thought", "education" "Evolution" "philosophy" "science" "pleasure" "popular opinion" but Jesus Christ is trill worshipped by the remnant. Are you for Him or against Him?

Are you devoted to Him?

Are you daring for Him

Are you determined to follow?

Are you discouraged and depressed .. pray to depart and be with Him.

Hold on and  press on. It may be you are never to see death, but rather the Son of Man coming in His kingdom and you will be caught up like Elijah to be forever with the Lord.

4. Triumph for the Seeking Sinner or awakened saint.

Yes there is the triumph here for you the seeking sinner if you will" hear Him."

Peter gives you his evidence as an eyewitness of the majesty of Christ. But He says you have a more sure word of prophecy that you will do well to take heed to as a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day star arises in your hears.

Heed Peter! Heed the Word of God! Hear the voice of Christ calling to you "Come unto me:

"Awake thou that sleepest rise from the dead! And Christ will give you light" Will you come? Will you awaken and rise?

Remember when the disciples were awakened "they saw His glory."  So will you. Believe and you shall see.

Samuel heard the voice. And heeded.

Peter heard the call and answered.

There are voices all over the world calling. The bush called her farmers and graziers. The sea calls her sailors and mariners. Duty called many to fight and die in Great Wars. I have seen the picture for many  soldier framed beneath are the words "he heard the call and answered." How many thousands hear Christ's call and do not answer.

Hark my soul it is the Lord

Tis the Saviour hear His world

Jesus speaks and speaks to them

Say poor sinner lovest Thou me?

Thou shalt see my glory soon

When thy work on earth is dome

Partner of my throne shalt be

Say poor sinner lovest thou me?

What will your answer be? Awake! Come! When they awoke they saw his glory."

Travelling to Condo in 1922 Two travellers slept so soundly. The train arrived in Bathurst. The Porter called out "twenty minutes here!"  A boy called out "hot Pies!" We better go get a cup of tea!"  one said to the other "I wonder when we shall get to Bathurst?" The Porter called out "Why man you have been here for twenty minutes!"

He was so asleep he almost missed his destination.  So many will sleep past the station of salvation.   Many are so sleepy that they do not hear the divine voice and sleeping the sleep of death will not see His glory!